EFFECT OF LEAN PRACTICES ON THE OPERATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF PORTUGUESE ORGANIZATIONS
Luís Miguel Ciravegna Martins da Fonse,
José Dinis de Araújo Carvalho,
José Carlos Sá,
Gilberto Santos
Abstract: The main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of Lean practices on the operational and environmental performance of Portuguese organisations. The study reviewed 70 papers and conducted an online survey of Portuguese industrial professionals, yielding 109 responses, with 72 confirming Lean tool adoption. Results, analysed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests via Excel and SPSS v.25, explored Lean practices' impact on operational and environmental performance. The study found that Portuguese companies primarily use Lean tools like 5S, visual management, Kaizen, Kanban, VSM, SMED, and Poka-Yoke to improve operational and environmental performance. Respondents highlighted synergies between Lean and Green approaches. Longer Lean tool implementation correlated with more significant improvements in customer satisfaction, delivery times, flexibility, waste reduction, and environmental impacts, reflecting a learning curve.
Keywords: Lean Manufacturing, Green Manufacturing, Lean tools, Operational performance, Environmental performance.
DOI: 10.24874/IJQR20.02-05
Recieved: 28.08.2025 Accepted: 10.02.2026 UDC:
Reads: 121 
